HC boys’ soccer splits two games

BY JULIE MARSHALL (Harrison News-Herald Sports Writer)

On Thursday, Sept. 30, the Harrison Central boys soccer team traveled to Carrollton to compete with the Warriors. Less than four minutes from the first touch, the Huskies scored when junior Jace Madzia crossed the ball to senior Jacob Mattern, who tapped it in for the lead 1-0. Five minutes later, senior Mack Marshall scored his first Husky goal off Madzia’s corner kick to raise the tally 2-0.

With 26 minutes left in the first half, Mattern scored his second goal of the evening off a Marshall assist. After a handball penalty, 11 minutes into the second half, Madzia and senior captain Ben Puskarich’s trick play resulted in Madzia booting one in to raise the score to 4-0. At the 15:27 mark, the Warriors took a shot that Huskies sophomore goalkeeper Jaydis Yoho dove for and barely missed putting Carrollton on the board 1-4.

The remainder of the game was scoreless, and the Huskies came out on top 4-1. The Huskies head coach Derek Gramling was glad to get a win after a two-week break, with good minutes for his younger players. Gramling commented, “Freshman midfielder Caleb Miller had the best game he has played all year tonight. Our game plan was to soak up the pressure and hit them on the counterattack.” Yoho logged one save in the box during the match.

Then on Tuesday, Oct. 5, the Indian Creek Redskins showed up at Wagner Field for a tussle on the turf under the lights in Cadiz. The Huskies had to defend repeated attacks from the skillful Redskins, who dominated much of the game with their slick passes and smooth touches.

Goalkeeper Yoho was credited with 5 saves during the game, but the Redskins ultimately defeated the Huskies 5-0. Although Harrison Centralhad several opportunities to score, it just wasn’t their night. Coach Gramling was a little disappointed with his Huskies and said his team is “better than the scoreline suggests tonight. The boys played well at times, but the sloppy mistakes cost us goals.”

Harrison Central played at Sandy Valley High School on Thursday, Oct. 7, and will play Beaver High School on Tuesday, Oct. 12. The Huskies’ final game of the season will be at home on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.

Caption: Photo by Kris Puskarich. Senior captain Ben Puskarich (30) clears the ball away from the Husky goal box. Also defending for the Huskies at the game in Carrollton are Caleb Miller (7), Mack Marshall (16), and Kayden Dunkle (22).